Korean accused of raping housemaid

A Korean dentistry student was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation last Wednesday night for allegedly sexually abusing his 20-year-old housemaid at his Quezon City condominium.

Agents of the NBI’s Violence Against Women and Children Division (VAWCD) arrested suspect Tae Seong Lee, 32, at his condominium unit at Manere Building, Matahimik Street, V. Luna Avenue, Quezon City.

According to the NBI, the victim who worked as the suspect’s maid since last May 20, was allegedly raped almost daily at knifepoint by the suspect until last week.

Further investigation showed that the suspect also allegedly threatened to kill the victim if she would reveal the sexual abuses to the authorities.

After receiving a tip on the suspect’s alleged activities, NBI agents swooped down on a billiard hall along Timog Avenue in Quezon City where the suspect hangs out and chanced upon him at about 9 p.m.

The NBI agents then introduced themselves and invited the suspect for questioning at the NBI headquarters.

At the NBI headquarters, the victim positively identified the suspect as the one who repeatedly raped her. The NBI said, when requested, the suspect could not produce his passport and other pertinent documents for his stay in the country.

As these developed, the NBI vehemently denied the claim by the suspect’s friends that Tae was kidnapped by NBI agents.

"It was a legitimate arrest. We had to arrest him as we feared he might fly out of the country and escape," said Angelique Somera, VAWCD chief.

Rape charges were filed yesterday against Tae who is now detained at the NBI office in Manila. – Mike Frialde